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No. 501,073. r Patented Ju1y 11, 189s. 1

N11-FED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

CHARLES H VASS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGN OR OF ONE-HALF TO LAZARUS vKAHNER, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR WRAPPING C IGAR-BUNCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,073, dated July 11, 1893.

Application filed January 6. 1893. Serial No. 457,482. (No model.)

To all whom t may oon/cern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES 'HvAss, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented newand useful Improvements in Machines for Wrapping Cigars, of4

which the following is a specification.

lMy invention relates to the art of manufacturing cigars, and consists in the following, as hereinafter stated:

My invention consists in a machine by means of which unskilled labor can be employed and readily instructed, and by its use t-he skill necessary for theV particular manipulation of a wrapper during the manual operation of placing or rolling it about the bunch can be readily learned enabling the unskilled operator to perform the work of a skilled workman, (or a near approach thereto,) eX- peditiously and economically.

The main and important feature of my present invention lies in holding the leaf or a portion thereof down upon the table, so that as the rolling of the bunch progresses the wrapper will be drawn taut about the bunch, the wrapper being positively held motionless v while the bunch is advanced to the retaining means; or the retaining means can be adjusted to hold the wrapper to the table with just sucient pressure to enable it, the wrapper, to slip from under such retaining means, but which keeps sucient tension on the wrapper' to enable it to be smoothly laid about the cigar bunch, both hands of the operator being left free during the wrapping process (performed in either of these ways) to manage the bunch and stretch and smooth out the wrapper, which is at the same time kept un.

der tension by the retaining or pressing medium.

My invention further consists in the embodiment of my invention in a machine wherein it can be carried out in all of its Variations, and such machine comprises essentially a spring pressed element which is adapted to hold or press the wrapper-to a suitable table, a traveler movable on a way whereby the position of the retaining presser element on the table and therefore its relation to the hand of the operator while rolling a bunch can be changed (if the operation, `wherein such change of relation is essential,

is being performed), but which traveler does not of necessit7 move to perform all of the variations in the operation of the machine therein possible, all of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.

My invention also comprises the employment in this process of what is termed a header, having a peculiar construction and configuration, by means of which the manual operation of rolling the wrapper about the head of the bunch and the manipulation ofthe same during such operation can be simulated through the instrumentality of a mechanical element and which has the additional feature of having all the elements necessary to carry out this part of my invention merged into a single device which is readily attachable to or detachable from the table or support, as will hereinafter be set forth.

My invention further consists in the construction ofthe machine hereinafter set forth and the combination of elements therein contained, as will be more fully set forth in the speciication and further pointed out in the claims. l

In the drawings forming part of this speciication-Figure l, is a plan view of the rolling table constructed in accordance with my invention and showing the early or first step in the process of rolling a bunch; Fig. 2, a like view, the presser roller being thrown back, the bunch lying in the header Ywhere the head is completed; Fig. 3, a side elevation of Fig. l, partly in section, on the line a: of that figure; Fig. 4, aside elevation, enlarged, of a detached portion of the presser roller-.and its support; Fig. 5, a plan view of Figll; Fig. 6, a front elevation of the entire machine, the table supports being broken away; Figs. 7, 8, 9, respectively, plan, front and rear elevations of the head forming block; Figs. 10, ll, l2, plan, front and end elevations of the head forming block modified as to certain details hereinafter set forth; Figs. 13, 14, front and end elevations, respectively, of the same part further modified; Figs. 15, 16, respectively, front and end elevations of a further modification; Figs. 17, 18, front and end elevations of a further modication. Figs. l2 to 18, inclusive, simply illustrate modifcations in the contour of the former block, and to that `particular portion only upon which the wrapper IOO rests during the operation of forming the head, and at the same time some of these views are utilized for the purpose of showing details of construction common to all forms, and to that shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 as well.

Like numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

I shall first describe the construction of the machine shown herein and upon which my invention can Abe practiced.

Upon a suitable table 1 supported by standards 2 of any desired construction, to which the table is bolted, is secured abcd plate 3 by suitable screws 4. Extending through the bed plate 3 and table 1 are eye bolts 5 and 6, the stems of which carry nuts 7, 8 for securing them in position, between which bolts extends a circular` rod 9, (preferably) which is supported above the plate 3 by the eye bolts, the bolt being provided with a set screw 10 for holding the rod 9 in position. Upon the rod, which will be hereinafter termed a way, is adapted to move a traveler comprising essentially thebent arm or bracket 11, the transverse arms 12 of which are apertured to receive the rod 9, which arms are free to move or reciprocate upon said rod, and a back plate 13 secured tothe bracket 11 bythe ears 14 thereon. So far as the particular construction of the traveler is concerned, the bracket and back plate can be cast integral with each other, and conformed in any suitable or desired manner. The union of the bracket and back plate is made adjustable through the instrumentality of the slots 15 in the back plate and headed screws 16 passing through said slots and into tapped holes in the ears- 14. The function of this adjustable connection will be hereinafter set forth.

Journaled in any desirable manner upon the back plate 13, as by the bolts 17, are rollers 18 which bear on the plate 3, as shown in Fig. 6. The presser roller 19, is preferably a cylinder of rubber having a comparatively smooth surface, the roller having a central longitudinal aperture, through which extends a spindle 20, providing means for rotatably supporting it. The presser-roller 19 has a jointed support to bracket 11, and a tensioning device as follows: A stem 21 screw threaded and passing through a tapped hole in the bracket 11 is secured thereon by the nut 222, said bolt having at its forward end a transversely apertured cheek plate 22, and the inner end of the spindle is provided with a like cheek plate 23, also transversely apertured, through both of which cheeks passes a short spindle 24, which spindle carries a nut 25 at one end, and is provided with an enlarged head 26 at the other. A spiral spring 27 encircles the spindle and lies between the enlarged head 26 and the cheek plate 23, forcing both cheek plates together and against the nut 25, the bent arm 28 of the spring, which extends forward to the roller, passing through an aperture in the'spindle 20.

Instead of making the stem 21 and its cheek plate separate from the bracket it can be made integral with the bracket and back plate as before set forth.

A spring clip 29 formed of the two spring jaws 30 having the segmental bends 31 and curved lips 32 is secured to the back plate 13 by the nuts 33, the jaws of the clip lying over the spindle 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Secured at any desired place on the plate 3 is a header block 34 formed as tothe former block in any of the ways shown in Figs. 7 to 18 inelusive.

The header comprises the three portions,

" the head rest 35 or thimble (which isaconoidal aperture), the former block 36, and the knife support formed of the two lips or arms 37 apertured at 38 for the passage of a pin 39, upon which a movable blade 40 is pivotally supported. The former block 36,head rest 35 and journal arms 37 are cast integral in one block, which is also provided with a bed plate 41 provided with screw holes 42 for the purpose of securing it to the plate 3; but it is not essential to the operativeness of the machine that the bed plate and journal arms should be formed integral, with the former block and head rest, but it is very advantageous that they should be so, and I prefer to construct it in this manner as it makes all of its common parts readily attachable or detachable. The head rest consists of the conoidal aperture 35 adapted to receive the head of the cigar, the metal ofthe casting lying above it being cut away to form an inverted V shaped opening, the edges 43, 44 (either) of which form ledges over which the wrapper can be strained while being rolled over the head of the bunch, and by means of which the wrapper can be properly directed about said head. The aperture of the head rest passes entirely through the casting as shown at 45, Fig. 11. The head rest is formed within the former block 36, the surface of which is peculiarly conformed, it being sloped from the ledge 44 in the shape of a reverse curve longitudinally to the end of the block, as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, and downwardly and transversely away from the beginning of the aperture 45, as in Fig. 8.

The conformation of the former block is had for the purpose of enabling the operator, by holding the end of the wrapper down on the uneven or configured portions thereof, during the operation of rolling the head, to strain, stretch and direct the wrapper, so that it will lie properly about the head, as hereinafter set forth.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the operative surfaces of the former blocks are conformed reversely to that shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, in which former case the reversed curve surface extends laterally, and instead of longitudinally and downwardly, as in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, and the surface rises up from the ledge 44 inthe shape of a segment of a circle and forms a hump for the entire length of the block, lying between the head rest and end thereof.

vplate in position.

In Figs. 13 and 14, a steeper curve is shown, and in Figs..15, 16, a gradual curve in both directions is had leading to a shoulder, from which the surface is led to a block by means of the gradual slopeyand in Figs. 17, 18, a sharp descent is had in both directions.

The blade 40 is pivotally secured within a stem 46 having a depending rod 47. A treadle 48 is pivotally secured by its pins v49 to a bracket 50, 'secured to the iioor or frame; and to the treadle beyond its fulcrum is secured a short arm 51 by the pin 52, to which is secured another rod 53, the rods 47 and 53 being adj ustably united by means of the collar 54, through which they pass, and the set screw 55. A stationary blade 56is secured to the casting 34in front of the opening 45 in the head rest 35. The blade 56 has a V shaped cutting edge 57 lying directly in line with the aperture 45. The former block 36 is cutaway and is provided with an interior slot, shownv in full lines at 58 Fig. 7, and dotted lines at 59 Fig. 9, which receives the end of the blade 56, as shown in dotted lines, and with the screw 60 detachably and rigidly supports the blade 40 is provided with a cutting edge 6l, Fig. 13, which aligns with the cutting edge 57 of the blade 56, both forming a cutter like a scissors or shears; and adjacent to the cutting edge 61 is a recess 62 formed in the blade 40 for the purpose of clearing the head of the screw 60 in the downward movement of the.

. blade 56 forming a shear which cuts off, the

blade.

Located adjacent to the casting 34 is a block 63; and which has aligning with the head rest a segmental or otherwise formed rest 64, upon which the bunch rests duringthe head form-k ing operation, as shown in Fig. 1, the rest being adjustably secured to theblockr63 by theset screw 63, so that it can be raised up or let down, in relation to the head rest. This I do not claim herein.

I will now proceed to describe the process or operation of rolling the wrapper around the bunch in conformity with my invention. A wrapperbeing provided which is previously cut to the desired form as shown at 65, Fig. l, (such as illustrated in my applicationk tiled January 6, 1893, Serial No. 457,481, is then laid upon the table, and the formed bunch 66 is taken in the hand and the tuck end ofthe wrapper rolled about the tuck end thereof; and after the said tuck end is secured thereon the presser roller 19 is freed from the spring clip 29 andV is vibrated downward on to the table, as shown in Figs. 1,3and 6, holding the wrapper thereon, 4(or this may be done before the operation of rolling is commenced,) and as the operator continues the rollingof the wrapper around the cigar he moves the bunch in the direction of the presser roller, at the same time pulling slightly against it, thus stretching and smoothing the wrapper and laying it tightly about the bunch. The operator can proceed in the rolling either by first moving the presser roller upon The'forward end of the- 'of the same on the table being preserved by the adjustable rollers 19, and spring .27) which exposes-a further length of wrapper to be rolled; and the wrapper can be so rolled about the bunch until the head portion 68 is reached; or instead of changing the position of the presser roller and rollingthe bunch up to it, the roller` can be moved to any part of the table, and its tension on the plate 3 so adjusted by the means herein set forth as to enable the wrapper to be drawn from under it and at the same time stretching and guiding the wrapper. When the bunch has been rolled up to the head portion, the header is then brought into play. The rolling of the wrapper is not continued so far as to entirely surround the bunch by it, that is, at the head, a portion of the head part of the wrapper remains unrolled. The partly rolled bunch in this condition is then laid upon the rest 64 and the head inserted into the conical aperture of the header, a portion of the wrapper then lying upon the ledge 44 and another portion eX- tending out. from the aperture 45. The operator then turns the bunch in the rest 64 and head rest, say by his righthand, straining the exposed part of the wrapper across` ,the ledge 44 with one finger and holding the balance down upon the uneven surface of the former block, and asY he turns he Works the treadle 48 with his heel, which vibrates the knife 40, thesame in conjunction with the excess of wrapper, the uneven surface of the former block straining the wrapper and the ledge 44 stretching and guiding: it, and this is continuedy until the head is. completely formed. During this operation gum is used to secure the wrapper about the head in the usual way, a pot 68 being provided tork this purpose, ready at the operators hand.

I do not limit myself to the-special construction of parts shown and described herein, as it is apparent that they may be changed and modified in many ways without departing from the spirit Aof my invention.

I am aware of the patent to T. Streat, N o. 290,811, dated December 25, 1883, and do not intend to claim anything therein shown and described.

I claim-n 1. In a cigar wrapping machine,the combination with Va table, of a wrapper-presser and cured at one end toa suitable support, the presser and the sustaining means lbeing so constrnctedas to admit of its free end being moved upon and from the table, inherent or. adjunctive means for pressing the presser uponthe table, the presser being movable upon the `table independently of .the bunch andwithout relieving its pressure upon the wrapper, :substantially as described.

A 2. In a cigar wrapping machine,the combination with a table, of a movable and weighted or spring-operatedpresser, adapted to IOO IIO

sustaining means for the same movably'se press a suitably prepared wrapper to the table, and a support for the presser, and means whereby it may be moved in advance of the bunch Without involving a like movement on the part of the bunch, substantially as described.

3. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combi! nation with a suitable table, of a movable support, a wrapper presser adapted to hold a wrapper to the table, having one end hinged or pivotally secured to said movable support, substantially as described.

4. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination with a table, of a guide or way, a traveler movable on or in said way, a Wrapperpresser secured to the traveler so as to bear on the table, and means for placing the roller under tension, substantially as described.

5. In a cigar wrapping machine, the combination With a table, of a guide or way, a traveler movable on or in said Way, a wrapperpresser secured to the traveler so as to bear on the table, and means for adjusting the tension of said roller on the table, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the Way suitably supported on a table, of a traveler movable along said Way, the traveler having rolling instrumentalities bearing on the table, and a roller projecting therefrom and bearing on the table, the bearing rollers and pressing roller forming points of contact with the table, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the table, of the traveler, a Way or guide therefor, the traveler having adjustable contact elements bearing on the table, and a roller supported from the traveler and bearing on the table, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the way on the table, of the traveler adapted to be moved on the way, the traveler having contact elements bearing on said table, and a roller extending from the traveler and adapted to bear on the table, a jointed connection interposed between the said roller and the traveler, the said contact elements being adapted to adjust the tension of said roller upon the table, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the way upon the table, the traveler thereon,supporting rollers ad jnstably mounted in the traveler and bearing on the table, and a presser roller secured to the traveler by a jointed connection and which is adapted to bear on said table, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the Way on the table, of the traveler on said way, the supporting rollers carried by the traveler and bearing on the table, and a presser roller which is adapted to bear on the table secured to the traveler by a jointed connection, and a spring inserted in said connection for the purpose of pressing the presser roller upon the table, substantially as described.

l1. The combination of the table, the Way, the traveler thereon, of the presser roller secured to the traveler by a jointed connection, and a spring clip secured to the traveler and adapted to receive the presser roller or its spindle and sustain the same in an elevated position over the table, substantially as described.

12. In a cigar Wrapping machine, the combination with the table, the Way and traveler thereon having an extension, of the elastic presser roller 19 secured to the extension of the traveler, substantially as described.

13. The combination with the plate 3, of the bar 9 elevated above it, the traveler comprising the bracket 11, through which the bar 9 passes, and a back plate 13 having the rollers 18 journaled therein, the stem 21 secured to the cross bar of the bracket, the spindle 2O and roller 19 mounted thereon, the stem 21 and spindle 2O having juxtaposed cheek plates 22, 23 having aligning apertures through which passes a pin 24;, and a spring 27 secured at one end to the pin and at the other end to the spindle 20, substantially as described.

14. The combination of the bracket 1l, the stem 21 secured thereto having the apertured cheek plate 22, the roller 19 mounted on the spindle 20, said spindle having the apertured cheek plate 23, a pin 24 passing through both eyes and having an abutment 26, and a spiral spring 27 encircling the pin 24 and lying be tween the abutment 26 and the eyes pressing them together, one end of the said spring being secured to the spindle 20, the other end being suitably fixed, substantially as described.

15. The combination with the bar 9, of the bracket 1l movable on said bar, the back plate 13 having the rollers 18 journaled therein, the plate 3, slots 15 in the back plate, and headed screws 16 passing through said slots and adj ustably uniting the back plate 13 and bracket Il, and the roller 19 secured to the bracket by a jointed connection, substantially as described. l

16. The head former comprising the thimble having the slotted aperture, the irregular or uneven surfaced straining block at one side and immediately adjacent thereto, the bed plate extending outwardly from the opposite side of the thimble, the journal arms extending upwardly from the bed plate, a stationary knife aligning with the head of the aperture, a movable knife having bearings in the journal arms, and means for detachably securing the head former through the bed plate directly upon a suitable table or support, substantially as described.

Signed at the city, county, and State of New York this 5th day of January, 1893.

CHARLES IIVASS.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH L. LEVY, B. S. WISE.

IOC 

